Brad Bechtel clipped, then I snipped:
That doesn't mean her Monday night show at Oakland's Paramount Theater (she plays
again Tuesday) was the equivalent of an arm-wrestling takedown. But it did have some
great moments, and Crow turned in a solid star turn.
Before she even began, it seemed highly possible that Crow's opening act, the
Minneapolis power-pop trio Semisonic, could blow her off the stage. Always engaging
to the point of inciting riots, Semisonic began playing to near-empty house (damn
those 8 p.m. start times!) but by the end of their hefty 50-minute set, had the
swelling crowd on its feet.
Frontman Dan Wilson, bass player John Munson and drummer Jacob Slichter - all gifted
musicians - play with the ferocity of a garage band, but with a joy and sense of
humor those groups lack. Their songs are acutely melodic, and loaded with creative
metaphors befitting the brainy Ivy Leaguers they are ("Shaking my mind like an
Etch-A-Sketch erasing").
Especially good were the euphoric "Singing in my Sleep," the sweet/sexy "D.N.D.,"
and the screwball rocker "F.N.T." The bespectacled Wilson seems representative of the
new model of the Hot American Male - more brainy than brawny, sexual yet sensitive.
The girlish squeals in the audience every time Wilson moved a hip joint proved this
theory.
Semisonic's one of the best bands around, whatever the genre. *Great* live show and
very high quality pop music with a brain.
Last year's FEELING STRANGELY FINE is a good record, ubiquitous hit single ("Closing
Time") notwithstanding. 1996's GREAT DIVIDE is one of the best records of the past few
years, chock full of great songs, and not a lemon in the bunch.
No more pop from me today, promise. g
b.s.
